The Nigeria Police Force has launched a nationwide search after one of its operational vehicles disappeared from its headquarters in Abuja, raising fresh concerns over security lapses within the system.
The missing vehicle, a Toyota Buffalo Land Cruiser with registration number NPF 5594 D and chassis number JTELU71JX0B027126, was reported stolen on July 28, 2025.
According to an internal police memo sighted by Punch, the vehicle, which was attached to the Department of Operations at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, was allegedly taken from the official car park.
A police signal relayed by the Commissioner of Police, DFA Katsina Command, and circulated through the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), confirmed the development. It read partly:
“The vehicle attached to the Department of Operations, FHQ Abuja, was declared missing/stolen or removed from where parked on 28/07/2025 from the parking lot of FHQ, Louis Edet House, Abuja. Case is under investigation. Grateful disseminate to formations, area commands, and divisions for possible recovery.”
Following the incident, the Inspector General of Police has reportedly directed all area commands, divisional police officers, and tactical units across the country to be on red alert. Other security agencies have equally been placed on notice to provide intelligence that could aid recovery.
The disappearance of the SUV from the heavily guarded police headquarters has triggered debates over internal accountability and discipline within the force. Security experts have questioned how such a development could occur in one of the nation’s most secured facilities without detection.
